Control circuit and actuating mechanism for a coaxial switch



Nov. 6, 1956 w R. ELLIOTT 2,759,947

CONTROL CIRCUIT AND ACTUATING MECI'HNI M FOR A COAXIAL SWITCH Filed Jan.26, 1953 TF1 q 1 24/ A V 41 Z4 w 120 4i 45 4/ a T 5 w-\ 61 s 58 15 a I57 40 59 38 as I a2 'l ETYETIZLDT & MM%M Wm. 4

United States Patent CONTROL CIRCUIT AND ACTUATING MECHA- NISM FOR ACOAXIAL SWITCH William R. Elliott, Bellevue, Wash, assignor sonProducts, Ohio to Thomp- Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation ofApplication January 26, 1953, Serial No. 333,106 9 Claims. (Cl. 318-267)tatable driving member rather than by means of a stepby-step drivingmember.

When a continuously rotating driving member, such as the rotor of anelectric motor, is utilized to move a position is often inadequate tostop the switch rotor and return it to the preselected position.

It is, therefore, a further object of the present invention to providenovel means for rendering the angular switch rotor in the preselectedposition.

Another object of the present invention is to provide novel indexingmechanism for a coaxial switch in which pletely stopped.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide novewever, both as to its organization, manner of construction and Figure 2is a fragmentary transverse section view taken substantially along theline IIII of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along theline HI-II-I of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram indicating the control system for themotor.

The present invention is particularly adapted for use with a rotarycoaxial switch having a rotor which is designed to be rotated into oneor more preselected positions to complete one or more circuits. It willbe readily appreciated that in a coaxial-type switch much more precisepositioning rotor is required than in the ordinary switch. It 18 theparticular problems which are switch,

for selectively indexing the switch rotor to one of a plurality ofpreselected switching positions. The invention is, therefore,illustrated as it might be employed with such an index and controlsystem by way of example and not by way of limitation.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, by way of example, a single pole,double throw rotary coaxial switch 10 is operated by an actuatingmechanism generally designated by the reference numeral 11. The rotaryswitch 10 comprises stationary switch body 12 and a switch rotor 13rotatably mounted therein.

The switch rotor 13 has an inner conductor elbow 14 having a reduceddiameter pin 15 axially of said is centered axially of fitting 19 bymeans of insulation 22. The switch rotor 13 is turned to sethe innerconductor and 26 afford outer conductors for connection with the mg gear36, shaft 37, 39 and shaft 40.

In order to accurately position the switch rotor preselected position inwhich the detent mechanism is operative to move the switch rotor to thecentral position desired.

' By way of definite example, the detent may have an overall range of30, with a range in advance of the predetermined switching position ofand a range beyond the predetermined switching position of 15. By way ofexample, this range of detent action may be accomplished by means of adetent gear 42 which is controlled by means of a pair of opposed arms 43and 44 illustrated as being pivotally mounted on the coaxial switchhousing 12 by means of bolts 45.

The details of this mechanism are described in my copending applicationentitled Rotary Coaxial Switch Actuating Mechanism, Serial No. 259,979,filed Decembet 5, 1951, and assigned to the same assignee as the presentinvention.

As also described in my above mentioned copending application, a sloppycoupling indicated generally by the reference numeral 50 is providedbetween the shafts '32 and 40. This coupling is designed to allow some'free play between the action of the switch detent 41 and the motordriving system for the shaft 40. The coupling permits the detentmechanism 41 to center the rotor shaft 32 in its proper position afterthe shaft 40 has been stopped by means of the braking mechanism whichwill hereinafter be described.

For disconnecting the motor reverse winding which is utilized to brakethe motor, as will hereinafter be described, a switch 55 is utilizedwhich is associated with the shaft 40. The switch comprises amicroswitch' 56, Figure 2, connected in series with conductors 57 and 58and having an actuating button 60 for opening the circuit in normalprojected position, and for closing the circuits when depressed. Thebutton 60 is controlled by an operating lever 61 loosely carried by theshaft 40 for movement from a lower position abutting the stop 63, Figure2, to the upper position shown in solid outline in Figure 2 wherein theedge of the lever 61 contacts the button 60 to depress the same. Whenthe shaft 40 is rotating counterclockwise as seen in Figure 2, the lever61 is lifted to its actuated position by means of friction couplingdisks 65 and 66 which are fixed in grooves in the shaft 40- and rotatetherewith and have annular endfaces 69 and 70 hearing on opposite sidesof the lever 61 to urge the lever to turn with the shaft 40. I It willbe understood that the disks 65 and 66 are of resilient material and areso positioned as to be ten- :sioned to urge the annular faces 69 and 70against the opposed surfaces of the lever 61. Thus when the shaft is:turning counterclockwise, the lever arm 61 will be in the switchactuating position shown in Figure 2, while when the shaft rotatedcounterclockwise, the lever arm 61 will be moved against the stop 63 toopen the motor reverslng circuit.

.The operation of the control circuit will now be readily understood byreference to Figure 4. In Figure 4, the motor armature is representedat73, and the motor is provided with a split series field windingincluding windings 74 and 75, the Winding 74 being arranged to drive'theshaft 40 in the counterclockwise direction as seen in Figure 2, whilethe Winding 75 is arranged to drive the shaft 40 in theclockwisedirection and will be termed the reverse winding of the motor.

' The wafer switch 80 shown mounted on the motor shaft 32 in Figure 1includes rotor sections 81 and 82 which turn with the shaft 32 by virtueof the rectangular slots 83 and 84 interlocked with a flattened'portionof the shaft 32 as indicated in Figure 4. Voltage-may be supplied to thecontrol circuit by means of a pair of supply lines 85 and 85', and thevoltage may be supplied between tne common conductor 87 and conductor 88or. 88 by any suitable selector means, such as suitable jacks connectedto the three conductors and plugs connected with the respective supplylines, one plug being inserted in the jack for conductor 87 and theother plug being selectively connected with thejack for conductor 88 or88', or alternatively as illustrated, conductor 87 the rotor is in thevicinity of said first may be electrically connected with one of thesupply lines 85' while a selector switch 86 selectively connects theother supply line 85 with line 88 or 88. When a supply voltage isapplied between common conductor 87 and conductor 88 the motor is drivenin the forward direction through conductor 89, stationary contact 90,rotor 81, stationary contact 91, conductor 92, series winding 74,armature 73, to conductor 87. The shaft 40 is now turned in thecounterclockwise direction, and the lever 61 actuates the button 60 ofmicroswitch 56 to close the switch 55, Figure 4. When the lobe 94 ofrotor 82 of wafer switch reaches the stationary contact 97, and the gap98 in the rotor 81 reaches the stationary contact 90, the forwardwinding 74 is deenergized, and the reverse winding 75 is energizedthrough conductor 88, conductor 100, stationary contact 97, rotor lobe$4, stationary contact 101, conductor 57, switch 55, conductor 53,reverse winding 75, armature 73 and conductor 87. The braking action isthen exerted on the armature 73 by the reverse winding '75 to bring theshaft 40 to a stop adjacent a selected switching position, in this casewith the rotor elbow 14 in registry with the inner conductor 24 of thebranch terminal 26. When the armature has completely stopped rotating inthe counterclockwise direction and begins to rotate in the clockwisedirection due to the reverse winding 75, the lever 61 is moved away fromthe button 61) to open the microswitch 55 and deenergize the reversewinding 75. It will be understood that the detent means 41 is then freeto exactly position the switch rotor in its left hand switching positionby virtue of the sloppy coupling 50. The rotors 81 and 82 areillustrated in Figure 4 in positions corresponding to the position ofthe rotor in Figure l at'its right hand station. The circuit operationfor ind-exing the rotor to the right hand position shown in Figure l isthe same as that described hereinabove and need not be specificallydescribed. Corresponding primed reference numerals have been applied tothe conductors which are connected to the supply lines to index theswitch to its right hand position.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will, ofcourse, be understood that I do not Wish to be limited thereto, sincemany modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by theappended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. Indexing mechanism for selectively positioning a rotor with respectto first and second surrounding stations, comprising a motor, first andsecond energizing circuits for said motor, indexing means driven by saidmotor and controlling said first and second motor energizing circuits,said indexing means being operative to open said first and second motorenergizing circuits when the rotor is in the vicinity of said first andsecond stations respectively, first and second braking circuits for saidmotor, rotary switch means driven by said motor and controlling saidfirst and second braking circuits, said switch means being operative toclose said first braking circuit when said rotor has angularly moved toa preselected relative position with respect to said first station andbeing operative to close said second braking circuit when said rotor hasangularly moved to a preselected relative position with respect to saidsecond station, and selector means selectively accommodatingenergization of said first and second motor energizing circuits.

2. Indexing mechanism for selectively positioning a rotor With respectto first and second surrounding stations, comprising a motor, first andsecond energizing circuits for said motor, indexing switch means drivenby said motor and controlling said first and second motor energizingcircuits, said indexing switch means being operative to open said firstand second motor energizing circuits when and second stationsrespectively, first and second reverse energizing circuits.

for said motor, rotary switch means driven by said 1110- ergizing saidmotor to drive said rotor in the forward tor and controlling said firstand second motor reverse direction, first and second motor brakingcircuits includenergizing circuits, said switch means being operativeing respectively said first and second braking contacts to close saidfirst and second motor reverse energizing and said braking member forapplying a braking force to circuits when said rotor has angularly movedto a presesaid motor shaft, the respective stationary indexing andlected relative position with respect to said first and secbrakingcontacts being arranged with respect to said rotor 0nd stationsrespectively, and selector means selectively shaft to contemporaneouslydeenergize the selected m0- accommodating energization of said firstmotor energiztor-energizing circuit and to energize the correspondinging and reverse energizing circuit and said second motor motor brakingcircuit to selectively position the rotor at energizing and reverseenergizing circuit. the first and second stations, and selector meansselec- 3. Indexing mechanism for selectively positioning a roti ciy aommodating energization of said first motor entor with respect to firstand second surrounding stations, ergizing and braking circuits and saidsecond motor encomprising a motor, first and second energizing circuitsergizing and braking circuits. for said motor, indexing switch meansdriven by said 6. Indexing mechanism for selectively positioning aromotor and controlling said first and second motor enertor with respectto first and second surrounding stations gizing circuits, said indexingswitch means bein operaof a coaxial switch, comprising a rotor shaft indriving tive to open said first and second motor energizingcirconnection with said rotor a motor shaft in driving concuits when therotor is in the vicinity of said first and nection with sa d rotor shafta motor in driving consecond stations respectively, first and secondreverse ennection with said motor shaft indexing switch means inergizingcircuits for said motor, rotary switch means eluding an indexing memberon said rotor shaft and to driven by said motor and controlling saidfirst and econd tatable therewith and a pair of arcuately spacedstationary motor reverse energizing circuits, said switch means beingindexing contacts disposed about said rotor shaft and c0- opeiative toclose said first and second motor reverse operating with said indexingmember, said indexing memenergizing circuits when said rotor hasangularly moved her having a non-conducting portion for successivelyisoto a preselected relative position with respect to said first latingsaid first and second stationary contacts as said roand second stationsrespectively, further switch means tor shaft is rotated braking switchmeans including a in the motor reverse energizing circuits maintainedclosed braking member on said rotor shaft and rotatable therebycontinuous rotation of the motor in the forward direcwith and first andsecond braking contacts disposed artion but opening upon reverserotation of said motor, cuately about said rotor shaft and cooperatingwith said and selector means selectively accommodating energizabrakingmember, said braking member being operative tion of said first motorenergizing and motor reverse ento successively make contact with saidfirst and second ergizing circuits and said second motor energizing andcontacts as said rotoi shaft is rotated first and second motor reverseenergizing circuits. motor energizin circuits including respectivelysaid first 4. Indexing mechanism for selectively positioning a roandsecond indexing contacts and said indexing member tor with respect tofirst and second surrounding stations, r n gizing said m or to drivesaidrotor in the forcomprising a motor, a shaft driven by said motor andward direction, first and second motor braking circuits driving saidrotor and having an indexing member there- 1 Including r pw v ly 831d rt and Second braking on, first and second stationary indexing contactscooperntacts and said braking member for applying a brakating with saidlilClEXlIl" member, first and second motor ing force to said motor shaftthe respective stationary energizing circuits including respectivelysaid first and ndexing and braking contacts being arranged with resecondindexing contacts and said i dexin m mbe a spect to said rotoi shaft tocontemporaneously deenergize braking switch member on said shaft, firstand second the selected motor-energizing circuit and to energize thestationary braking contacts cooperating with said braking C rr sp ndingmotoi braking circuit to selectively posimember, first and secondbraking circuits for said motor n the rotor at the first and secondstations switch including respect vely said first and second brakingconmeans having Contacts 111 Said motor bfaklng clrcults ta t a d sa dbrak n m b d ndexmo emb r maintained closed by continuous rotation ofsaid motor having non-conducting means for interrupting said first Shaft1 1 the forward dlrectloll and Opening uP011 reverse and second motoienergiz ng r u t wh th rot is movement of said motor shaft, and selectormeans selecin the vicinity of said first and second stat onsrespectivetiVfllY acwmmodatmg energllatloll of said first motor ly, andsaid braking member closing a d fi t a d o d energizing and motorbraking circuits and said second mobraking circuits contemporaneouslywith the opening of energizing and motor braking Circuitssaid first andsecond motor energizing circuits respective- 7. Indexing mechanism forselectively positioning a roly, and selector means selectivelyaccommodating e rtor with respect to first and second surroundingstations gization of said first motor energizing and braking circuits ofa coaxial switch, comprising a rotor shaft in driving tor with respectto first and second surrounding stations tion with said motor shaft,indexing switch means inof a coaxial switch, comprising a rotor shaft indriving l ing n in exing member on said rotor shaft and roconnectionwith said rotor, a motor shaft in driving contatable therewith and apair of arcuately spaced stationnection with said rotor shaft, a motorin driving connec- V ary indexing contacts disposed about said rotorshaft and tion with said motor shaft, indexing switch meansincludcooperating h said ing member, said indexing ing an indexingmember on said rotor shaft and rotatable member having a non-conductingportion for successively therewith and a pair of arcuately spacedstationary indexisolating said first and second stationary contacts assaid ing contacts dispos d about said rotor shaft and cooperatrotorshaft is rotated, braking switch means includin a ing with said indexingmember, said indexing member brakin member on said rotor shaft androtatable therehaving a non-conducting portion for successivelyisolatwith and first and second braking contacts disposed arcuing saidfirst and second stationary contacts as said rotor ately about saidrotor shaft and cooperating with said shaft is rotated brakin switchmeans includin a brakbraking member said brasing member being operativeing member on said rotor shaft and rotatable therewith to successivelymake contact with said first and second and first and second brakingcontacts disposed arcuately contacts as said rotor shaft is rotated,first and second about said rotor shaft and cooperating with saidbraking motor energizing circuits including respectively said firstmember, said braking member being operative to succesand second indexingcontacts and said indexing member sively make contact with said firstand second contacts for energizing said motor to drive said rotor in thefor as said rotor shaft is rotated first and second motor enwarddirection, first and second motor braking circuits ergizing circuitsincluding respectively said first and secincluding respectively saidfirst and second braking conond indexing contacts and said indexingmember for entacts and said braking member for applying a braking forceto said motor shaft, the respective stationary indexing and brakingcontacts being arranged with respect to said rotor'shaft tocontemporaneously deenergize the selected motor-energizing circuit andto energize the corresponding motor braking circuit to selectivelyposition the rotor at the first'and second stations, switch means havingcontacts in said motor braking circuits maintained closed by continuousrotation of said motor shaft in the forward direction and opening uponreverse movement of said motor shaft, a sloppy coupling between saidmotor shaft and said rotor shaft to accommodate limited reverse rotationof said motor shaft without corresponding rotation of said rotor shaft,and selector means selectively accommodating energization of said firstmotor energizing and motor braking circuits and said second motorenergizing and motor braking circuits.

8. Indexing mechanism for selectively positioning a rotor with'respe'ctto first and second surrounding stations of a coaxial switch, comprisinga rotor shaft in driving connection with said rotor, a motor shaft indriving connection with said rotor shaft, a'motor in driving connectionwith said motor shaft, indexing switch mean including an indexing memberon said rotor shaft and rotatable therewith and a pair of arcuatelyspaced stationary indexing contacts disposed about said rotor shaft andcooperating with said indexing member, said indexing member having anon-conducting portion for successively isolating said first and secondstationary contacts as said rotor shaft is rotated, braking switch meansincluding a braking member on said rotor shaft and rotatable therewithand first and second braking contacts disposed arcuately about saidrotor shaft and cooperating with said braking member, said brakingmember being operative to successively make contact with said first andsecond contacts as said rotor shaft is rotated, first and second motorenergizing circuits including respectively said first and secondindexing contacts and said indexing member for energizing said motor todrive said rotor in the forward direction, first and second motorbraking circuits including respectively said first and second brakingcontacts and said braking member for applying a braking force to saidmotor shaft, the respective stationary indexing and braking contactsbeing arranged with respect to said rotor shaft to contemporaneouslydeenergize the selected motor-energizing circuit and to energize thecorrespondingmotor braking circuit'to selectively position the rotor atthe first and second stations, switch means having contacts in saidmotor braking circuit maintained closed by continuous rotation of saidmotor shaft in the forward direction and opening upon reverse movementof said motor shaft, a sloppy coupling between said motor shaftand saidrotor shaft to accommodate limited reverse rotation of said motor shaftwithout corresponding rotation of said rotor shaft, detent means actingon said rotor shaft to establish precise angular positions of said rotorat said first and second stations, and selector means selectivelyaccommodating energization of said first mo-- tor energizing and brakingcircuits and said second motor energizing and braking circuits.

9. Indexing mechanism for selectively positioning a rotor with respectto first and second surrounding stations of a coaxial switch, comprisinga rotor shaft in driving connection with said rotor, a motor shaft indriving connection with said rotor shaft, a motor in driving connectionwith said motor shaft, indexing switch means including an indexingmember on said rotor shaft and rotatable therewith and a pair ofarcuately spaced stationary indexing contacts disposed about said rotorshaft and cooperating with said indexing member, said indexing memerhaving a non-conducting portion for successively isolating said firstand second stationary contacts as said rotor shaft is rotated, brakingswitch means including a braking member on said rotor shaft'androtatable therewith and first and second braking contacts disposedatcuately about said rotor shaft and cooperating with said brakingmember, said braking member being operative to successively make contactwith said first and second contacts as said rotor shaft is rotated,first and second motor energizing circuits including respectively saidfirst and second indexing contacts and said indexing member forenergizing said motor to drive said rotor in the forward direction,first and second motor braking circuits including respectively saidfirst and second braking contactsand said braking member for applying abraking force to said motor shaft, the respective stationary indexingand braking contacts being arranged with respect to said ro tor shaft tocontemporaneously deenergize the selected motor-energizing circuit andto energize the corresponding motor braking circuit to selectivelyposition the rotor at the first and second stations, and switch meanshaving contacts in said motor braking circuit maintained closed bycontinuous rotation of said motor shaft in the forward direction andopening upon reverse movement of said motor shaft, said switch meanscomprising a member frictionally connected with said motor shaft to tendto rotate therewith, a switch actuated by movement of said memberthereagainst as the motor shaft is rotated in the forward direction, butopened as the member moves with the shaft in the reverse direction, andselector means for selectively accommodating energization of said firstm0- tor energizing and motor braking circuits and said second motorenergizing and motor braking circuits.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

